Do You Need a Travel Advisor?
Everything You Need to Know
A travel advisor is a certified planning expert who researches, builds, and books your trip for you. For hotel and cruise bookings, it costs you nothing extra. You get the same price you’d find on your own, plus perks and upgrades that aren’t available anywhere else.
Most people who find me have the same thing in common. They’ve been planning their own trips for years, they’re pretty good at it, and they’re also kind of exhausted by it…or maybe they’re just too busy and stretched thin to do it right anymore.
The research, the tabs, the second-guessing, the “is this hotel actually as nice as the photos?” spiral at 11pm. They do it because they didn’t know there was another option.
There is. Here’s how it works.
What Is a Travel Advisor?
A travel advisor is someone who plans and books travel on your behalf: hotels, cruises, restaurants, itineraries, and all the logistics in between. Think of it as having a well-traveled friend who happens to know exactly where to go, what to skip, and how to get you the room that actually looks like the photos.
I’m affiliated with Fora Travel, one of the leading host agencies for independent travel advisors, which gives me access to supplier relationships, perks programs, and industry resources that aren’t available to the general public.
Is It True That Travel Advisors Are Only for Luxury Travelers?
This is the biggest myth in the industry and I wrote a whole post about it.
The short version: no. I’ve booked one-night hotel stays, weekend staycations two hours from home, and family cruises at every budget level. The value of working with a travel advisor has nothing to do with how much you’re spending. It has everything to do with how much you want to enjoy the planning process and the trip itself.
Ready to have your assumptions challenged? Read: Do You Really Need a Travel Advisor? Common Myths, Real Benefits, and Honest Answers
What Does Working with Me Actually Look Like?
It starts with a conversation. You tell me about your trip: where you’re thinking, who’s coming, what matters most to you, and what your budget looks like. From there I take over.
I research until I know which hotels are actually worth it and which ones just photograph well. I build the itinerary around your specific family and travel style, not a template. I make reservations, flag the experiences worth splurging on, and I’m available if something goes sideways mid-trip.
The planning that takes most people weeks takes me significantly less, because I’ve already done most of the research before you even reach out.
How Much Does It Cost?
Here’s the part that surprises almost everyone.
For hotel and cruise bookings, working with me costs you nothing. I earn a commission from the supplier and your price stays the same or better. You often walk away with perks you couldn’t have gotten on your own: room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, and more.
For custom itinerary planning, I charge a planning fee that’s always discussed upfront before I start working. No surprises, ever.
Want the full breakdown including my actual pricing? Read: Does It Cost Money to Use a Travel Advisor? A Clear Guide to Costs and Fees
What Kinds of Trips Do I Specialize In?
My sweet spot is food-forward family travel. Trips where the dinner reservation matters as much as the hotel. Where the market visit is on the itinerary. Where your kid eats something extraordinary and talks about it for years.
I’ve taken my own family to Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, eaten at street food stalls in Vietnam, and indulged in fresh oysters at Borough Market in London at 10am on a Tuesday. I bring that firsthand experience to every trip I plan.
I specialize in Europe (Paris, London, Normandy and beyond), Mexico, the Pacific Northwest, Las Vegas and destinations across the US. I also love to plan cruises and staycations.
See how I can help with your specific trip: Travel Planning Services
Ready to Talk About Your Trip?
The first conversation is always free. No pressure, no commitment. Just an honest conversation about where you want to go and whether I’m the right person to help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a travel advisor and a travel agent?
Functionally they do the same thing. “Travel advisor” reflects a more modern, consultative approach. Less transaction processing, more relationship. I’m not just booking flights and sending a confirmation. I’m building a trip around your specific family, your food preferences, and your travel style.
Do I need to know where I want to go before reaching out?
Not at all. Some of my favorite trips to plan start with “we want to go somewhere in Europe with good food and our seven-year-old.” That’s enough to get started. I’ll help figure out the rest.
How far in advance should I reach out?
The earlier the better, especially for summer Europe travel or holiday bookings. Six months is ideal for most trips and I’ve put together last-minute itineraries too. Reach out and we’ll figure out what’s possible.
What if I want to make changes after we’ve started planning?
That’s part of the process. Plans evolve and I build flexibility into every itinerary. Changes are handled as they come up and that’s exactly what I’m here for.
Do you only plan trips for families?
Families are my specialty but I also plan trips for couples, solo travelers, and multigenerational groups. If food and experience matter to you, we’ll probably get along great.